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Replacement NiMH Battery packs for the Chevrolet
S-10EV
The EV Bones Battery Electric Vehicle service facility is purpose designed
to accommodate the Chevrolet S-10EV.
The vehicle is elevated on an asymmetrical hydraulic lift to provide
clearance in lowering the battery pack for service. The pack is lowered
using a hydraulic electric platform lift, designed to support the 1800
pound pack during removal, service, and re installation processes.
The Chevrolet S-10EV uses 26 batteries (VRLA or NiMH) contained in a
sealed, steel-reinforced resin molded box beneath the truck bed,
centered in the frame rails. The low center of gravity provides excellent
handling characteristics in spite of the considerable pack weight.
An efficient heat pump driven thermal management system provides both
heating and cooling for the batteries to maintain excellent
temperature control during battery charge. Ambient air recirculation
is used to equalize the battery pack temperature while driving.
The sealed battery pack is an advantage in hostile and dirty environments.
It has the distinct disadvantage of being unable to dispose
of the heat that results in an accelerated self discharge when the
vehicle is parked for long periods away from a charging station when
cooling is activated while under charge. We advise the customer to
have charging facilities available at home and also while at work.
An image of an S-10 NiMH battery pack with the sealed cover removed
is shown below.
The batteries are arranged as twelve on top, and fourteen on the bottom.
The center support shelf covers the lower deck of batteries in the pack.
An S-10EV NiMH pack has up to 29 kWh of energy when fully charged.
The GM/Ovonic NiMH EV battery was purpose designed for the EV1 and
S-10EV.
Each battery is composed of eleven individual cells (one shown at right)
connected in series to form a completed battery module. Battery voltage
is 13.2v, and rated current is 85Ah @25 degrees C.
When compared to the energy density per pound of valve regulated lead-acid,
the NiMH battery provides nearly 2X the available energy, and 3X service
life.
NiMH has it's limitations. Heat directly affects life and performance
of these batteries.
Careful charge management is required in order to achieve maximum capacity
and service life. Thermal management (cooling) is required in both charge
and discharge cycles.
Performance detail and specifications can be downloaded from the links
below.
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The VRLA battery equipped 1997 and 1998 Chevrolet S-10EV can now be
upgraded to the Ovonic NiMH battery pack.
An upgrade to NiMH for both 97 and 98 model year S-10E is charged as
a flat rate of $8000.00 excluding all shipping costs.
Additionally, there may be reliability items required on your vehicle,
and are not included in the cost of the upgrade.
The vehicle must be shipped to our facilities for the NiMH upgrade.
We do not ship the vehicle battery packs.
Discounted vehicle transport can be arranged by us. Typical turnaround
time for upgrade is two (2) weeks.
Both the PIM (Power Inverter Module) and BPCM (Battery Pack Control
Module) require reprogramming
to accomodate the new NiMH battery configuration. Extensive testing
is performed to ensure long service.
The NiMH pack upgrade is provided on an as-is basis without warranty,
and excludes all transport costs.
GM/Ovonic (now Cobasys) Nickel Metal Hydride Battery 13.2v
85ah
Battery Dimensions: L= 410mm, W= 102mm, H= 180mm, Weight= 40lbs
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